How to Properly Discipline a Child

​​

     It is quite obvious that many, if not most, parents now do not know how to discipline their children.  So, I created this short piece of information as a proper guideline to help them out.  I honestly suggest that they LEARN to follow it.  They can start by first looking up and learning the full role and definition of what being a real parent and actual role model is.  Then, they can continue onward with the following layout of the basics.  This is for when parents choose to SPANK their children.  I know there's not much to go on online for this basic info, so that is exactly why I created this short layout.

 

1.  Never spank or discipline a child when you are really upset and emotional.  Completely calm down and get your wits straight and very fairly focused before you ever discipline a child.  Your anger, frustration, and lack of focus cause a major adrenaline rush that makes you much stronger and also out of control.  So, NEVER do it.  And, NEVER scream, curse, or yell at a child; it only teaches them to accept emotional and illogical outburst of frustration and anger as a "normal" way to deal with things.  Thus, you are "programming them" for the future to do the same.

 

2.  When a child is between the ages of 18 months and 5 years old, a simple gentle pop on the hand(s) or two or three pops on the butt will do.  Only use your hand and talk very calmly but firmly when you speak to the child to FULLY explain why they are being punished and told "No/Don't do that."

 

3.  Once a child is between the ages of 6 and 12 years old, you should ONLY use spanking on the butt with an appropriate paddle (not a stick, belt, switch, or ANY other device) when it is needed as a "last resort."  Do not spank a child for small things that a good, calm, and intelligent simple talking-to and 30-minute "time out" can handle.  

 

4.  Never use more than six pops that are carefully placed directly on the butt, and never use too much force when properly popping their bottom with the paddle.  And, NEVER hit a child in ANY other way.  Also, children that are between the ages of 6 and 9 years old should only need two or three pops, and never more than four.  

 

☆ Only spank a child that is between the ages of 10 and 12 years old if they have been grounded and given a good talking to first and they still refused to listen, or if they did something very wrong, such as an act of violent behavior to destroy something or hurt someone when they obviously knew better, or they did something very dangerous such as sneaking out at night, skipping school, playing with fire, or other types of very dangerous activities.  If they purposefully break something—even if it is theirs—they should be grounded and made to do work around the house at the flat rate of $6.00 per hour (a basic child labor/in-trouble rate) to pay for what they broke.  They should also remain grounded until they finish the work to pay off what they owe.

 

☆☆ Never leave marks on a child that are more than a little redness on their bottom, and always make the child sit down for at least 15 minutes—directly after spanking.  Then talk to them very calmly, firmly, and lovingly to FULLY detail why they cannot do what they got in trouble for.  Let them know that you hate having to spank them and that it hurts you too.

 

☆☆☆ Once their punishment is over, hug and kiss them very sincerely and let them know how much you truly LOVE them.

 

5.  Children that are 13 years old and older should NOT be spanked.  They should be grounded by not having ANY toys, computers, cell phones, video games, or television for up to a week—in the worst cases.  ALWAYS spend their grounded time talking to them and making them read a good book that you are going to test them on at the end of their grounded period.  Make it a book that is good for them and may even pertain to the reason they were grounded.

 

☆ It must be a physical book with actual pages and not an e-book on an electric device as a download.  

 

☆☆ Having children learn to read actual physical books about nature or real-life events will greatly strengthen their character and help their mental and spiritual focus in life.  It will ALWAYS be a very positive outcome after each book they read—if it is at least something that is truly interesting to them or pertains to the lesson they need to learn—nothing beats a good, real book. 

 

☆☆☆ ALWAYS THINK THINGS THROUGH BEFORE YOU ACT... A little gentle kindness and a few soft and wise words can make all the difference in a child's life.  Teach them right and well from the start, and lead by example.  Be the person in front of your children that you want them to become.  And, NEVER forget to truly LISTEN to your children or INSPIRE them.

 

Godspeed & God Bless/Cheers!

​

Sir Richard N. Rockfire